Packwood Lake
1 week ago
Scarlet vine maples along the rocky stretches
4 this month · 36 reports
Cispus Pass
South Cascades
updated 4 weeks ago
The trail to Cispus Pass is generally in good condition, with no significant snow patches reported since mid-July. Several recent reports from July through late August indicate snow-free conditions. The road access via Forest Road 21 from Packwood is described as rough but passable for most vehicles, with some potholed sections on the paved portion leading to Walupt Lake, though other reports from July and August suggest it's suitable for all vehicles. Parking at trailheads like Berry Patch and Snowgrass Flat can be extremely limited, especially on weekends, with cars lining the road, July 25. Blowdowns were noted on the trail to Snowgrass Flats in late July, but later reports from August indicate the trail is well-worn with no significant obstructions. Wildflowers were past their peak by late August, with some berry bushes having few or withered fruits, though heather plants were noted near Cispus Pass.
Generated from 13 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Cispus Pass
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 4 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 4 weeks, so everything below is at least that old.
The road to the trailheads is generally described as rough but passable, with some sections having potholes. While one report from August 28 mentioned some damage on the paved section near Walupt Lake, reports from July 25 and August indicate the road is suitable for all vehicles and only has washboarding in places.
Parking is extremely limited, particularly at trailheads like Berry Patch and Snowgrass Flat. On a Thursday afternoon in August 20, the Snowgrass Flat lot was two-thirds full, and Berry Patch was a 'total zoo' on a Sunday. Arriving on a Friday at 10:30 am in late July found the Snowgrass Flat lot overflowing, with Berry Patch also full and cars lining the road.
While multiple trees were down across the trail to Snowgrass Flats in late July, these were manageable with an overnight pack. Later reports in August indicate the trail is well-worn with no blowdowns. One stream crossing on the PCT near Cispus Pass required some focus to cross in late August.
Wildflowers were past their peak by late August, though beargrass was still going strong in mid-August. Berry bushes had few, mostly withered, and rather bitter berries by mid-August, with some bear scat indicating berries were consumed earlier in late August.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent4 weeks ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Hiked to Cispus Pass and back from the Walupt Lake trailhead.Forest road #21 from Packwood is gravel and fairly wide, any car should do fine. The last 4 miles or so to the lake is paved, but there are...
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
This was a version of the counter-clockwise loop with an overnight near Cispus Basin. I got as far as just past the Cispus River in the basin.I started at Berry Patch trailhead early in the morning. I...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
I had a long weekend (3 nights) to spend in the Goat Rock Wilderness and decided to do a counterclockwise hike, starting on the Snowgrass Flat Trail, with side trips to Cispus Pass and Old Snowy.Road ...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Two nights backpacking around Goat Rocks, with one night on the PCT and the second on the (delightful) Bypass Trail.There weren’t many recent trip reports from this wildly popular area, so I wasn’t su...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Distance: 28.6 milesElevation Gain: 5,410 ftDuration: 2 days / 1 nightTrailhead: Berry Patch TrailheadDay 1 — Berry Patch to Cispus BasinStarting from Berry Patch Trailhead, there isn’t much of a warm...
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Gorgeous terrain, but not much solitude in this area of Goat Rocks. We shortened our trip to a single overnight due to the surprising midweek crowds. There were at least 10 groups planning to camp nea...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Peak wildflower show at Snowgrass Flats and absolutely spectacular scenery on the way to and at Cispus Pass. I did a quick overnighter yesterday and today, so I'll start from the beginning.Road:Suitab...
Older2 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
On July 15th we made an attempt to climb Mount Gilbert from Cispus Basin. We generally followed the route descriptions in the Cascade Alpine guide and also Fred Becky‘s description. Both fairly accura...
Older12 months ago
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
Hiked from Walput lake to Nannie ridge (With a side trip to Nannie peak) and then to Cipsus pass and Cipsus basin. It's 16 miles and 4100' gain, but the trail is in very good condition, so the hike is...
South Cascades
Arrived about 10 am on a Monday at Snowgrass TH, six vehicles. The dirt part of the road was bumpy with washboard but easily doable in a sedan. It was bow hunting season for elk and “any weapon” seaso...